Tatjana von Stein Merges Jugendstil with 1980s Glam at The Dean Munich
The hotel blends Bavaria's art nouveau heritage with vibrant nightclub aesthetics.
1Fusion of Jugendstil and 80s Aesthetics
French-German designer Tatjana von Stein combined Munich's Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style with 1980s nightclub glam for The Dean Munich. The 281-room hotel features gold and red hues across velvet furniture, floral carpets, and stained-glass windows. Von Stein reinterpreted her birthplace's design history, blending ornate details with bold contemporary elements. Custom-designed lighting and vintage pieces create a unique atmosphere throughout the property.
2Celebrating Local Culture
"This city is rooted in history but always reinventing," says von Stein. The lobby showcases black stone chevron flooring beneath a circular mirrored ceiling. Munich's musical and cultural spirit inspired many design choices. Original late 19th-century pieces by Austrian icons Josef Hoffmann and Otto Wagner appear alongside custom creations. The designer particularly loves the sphinx table lamps in the lobby - "fabulously out of place."
3Playful Ceiling Architecture
Von Stein's theatrical ceiling designs are a hotel highlight. Zigzag-edged, tiered recesses complement column details. "We're interior architects first," she explains, "the envelope matters before furnishings." Ibasho restaurant features fluted ceilings and stained glass. The designer aims to "fully envelop people in a world," with ceilings playing a major role in spatial experience. Each public area has unique overhead treatments.
4Bespoke Furniture Collection
Von Stein designed hundreds of custom pieces for the hotel. Bell-shaped sconces, frilled stools, and sculptural tables create focal points. Ibasho's gold velvet conversation pit and horseshoe marble bar surrounded by pink leather Verner Panton chairs showcase Japanese influences. The Noren bar features geometric timber ceilings and tapestry-style seating. Vintage finds mix with contemporary custom designs throughout the property.
5Local Art Integration
Bedrooms feature olive green and orange textiles against paneled walls, with tubular shelving and tiger-stripe tables. Munich-based contemporary artists' works, curated by Various Others festival director Christian Ganzenberg, adorn both public spaces and guest rooms. The pared-back bedroom style maintains sophistication through material choices and artistic touches. Each space tells part of Munich's cultural story.
6The Dean's Flagship Property
The Dean Munich represents the Irish chain's largest property to date and second outside Ireland following Berlin. Von Stein previously designed members' club Làlia in Mallorca and Zurich's Locke am Platz. In a recent interview, she described her approach as "both theatrical and precise," noting that "some decadence is important" in today's world. The project revitalized an existing Westend neighborhood hotel.
7Architectural Cohesion
Von Stein believes compelling hospitality spaces should reveal themselves gradually. The Noren bar's geometric timber ceiling and tapestry upholstery create warmth. Ibasho's "rooms within rooms" concept includes mirrored ceilings above distinct zones. The designer reorganized all ground floor communal areas completely, creating theatrical sequences that balance elegance with exuberance through material layers and spatial flow.
8Revealing Munich's Hidden Identity
Beyond creating a hotel, von Stein's design unveils Munich's lesser-known cultural character. The project celebrates the city's rich musical heritage and nightlife history through contemporary interpretation. By merging Jugendstil heritage with 1980s energy under one roof, The Dean Munich offers guests an experience that's deeply rooted in place yet refreshingly modern. The design captures Munich's tension between tradition and reinvention.